GOP takes full control of NY Senate, but retains 'coalition' with Valesky, IDC

Senate Republican Leader Dean Skelos, R-Rockville Centre, second from right, is sworn in as his wife Gail holds a Bible during a ceremony at the state Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2015, in Albany, N.Y. Judge Thomas Adams, left, administers the oath. Skelos' father Basil Skelos stands left, and his son Adam Skelos is at right. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

(Mike Groll)

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Republicans officially took full control of the New York State Senate today, but they committed to continuing a special, if not equal, relationship with a small group of breakaway Democrats including Sen. David Valesky, D-Oneida.

Sen. Dean Skekos, R-Rockville Centre, was re-elected as the Republican's majority leader, an expected move that puts him in charge of the Albany chamber.

But the Independent Democratic Conference still has advantages over a larger group of mainstream Democrats.

Valesky and his IDC colleagues have the ability to temporarily postpone votes on legislation, according to the new rules adopted today by the Senate. And the IDC "may request" specific legislation come to the floor for a vote, the rules say.

The new rules do not specify that the mainstream Democrats, led by Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins, D-Yonkers, are afforded the same courtesies.

Two years ago, the GOP and IDC joined forces to co-run the Senate. The compromise put both conferences -- neither of which had the 32 votes to control the chamber -- in charge.

"Even though Republicans secured a numerical majority in the November elections and with it the ability to set the senate's agenda, we will continue our historic partnership with the Independent Democratic Conference," Skelos said today in a statement. "Sen. (Jeff) Klein will serve as co-leader of the Senate GOP-IDC coalition, and the members of his conference will have input on which bills reach the floor."